Canadians playoff hopes hang by thread after back-to-back losses to Kemptville
Posted Feb 11, 2010 By Jeff Maguire
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Tweet ThisEMC Sports - A weekend which began with promise for Carleton Place Canadians ended in despair and the expansion team's slim playoff hopes now hang by a thread with just eight games remaining in their first Central Junior Hockey League (CJHL) campaign.
It was an "eight point" weekend for Canadians as they played a home and home set with Kemptville 73's, the team which holds the eighth and final playoff place in the 12-team Junior A league. Two wins and Carleton Place could have tied their opponents. Two losses and the Kemptville bulge would be a nearly insurmountable eight points.
Saturday Carleton Place managed to salvage one point when they were edged 5-4 in overtime. Friday Kemptville edged the visiting Canadians 2-1 in a real heartbreaker.
But facing a seven-point deficit and with 73's holding three crucial games in hand, the new kids on the block are close to failing in their goal to qualify for the post season in their first campaign in Junior A hockey.
Carleton Place head coach Jason Clarke was already on record as saying "anything but a playoff place and it will be a lost season."
The twin killing at the hands of 73's on the weekend hasn't changed his opinion.
"It's disappointing. We wanted to win it (playoff place) ourselves. Now we have to depend on other teams to beat them (73's) or we won't get in this year."
He credits Kemptville goalie Ben Curley with giving his team the opportunity to secure the final post season berth.
"There's no question, Curley was the difference. He played very well on the weekend.
"We're not out of it, but it is definitely getting close," Clarke states. "They (Kemptville) have two games this week and that will tell the tale."
Carleton Place does have a softer schedule than Kemptville. But the way 73's are playing it appears they are a safe bet for their first playoff berth in three CJHL seasons. Kemptville was the previous expansion side in 2007, but won just 15 games in each of their first two campaigns.
Following two squeakers against Carleton Place, 73's record improved to 23-23-0-5 and they stand third in the Robinson Division and eighth overall. In their past 10 games Kemptville has five victories and two shootout losses.
During the same stretch Canadians are four and six, although three of the defeats were by one goal including the OT decision Saturday. They are fourth in the Robinson and ninth overall.
The two weekend wins earned Kemptville a split in their six-game season series with Carleton Place, although Canadians actually emerged with seven points and 73's with six. Still, it is the final two wins by Kemptville which are the most telling.
Playing before a disappointing home crowd of 241 Saturday night, Carleton Place again out shot the 73's (this time by a 37-34 total) but came out on the wrong end.
Nick Duhn's third goal of the game at 1:20 of the mandatory five-minute overtime period won it for Kemptville. Duhn, the game's first star, now has 16 goals. Zach Wilson from Almonte and Alex Brenton had powerplay goals for the visitors who led 2-1 and 3-2 at the intervals. Winger Michael Rowbotham set up three goals to take his team leading scoring total to 53 points. He is five up on Wilson in the team scoring derby.
Canadians' forward Aaron MacCosham netted his ninth goal and assisted on Tyler Kotlarz team leading 25th of the campaign. Both were powerplay efforts. MacCosham was named the game's third star for his effort. Defenceman Mitch Melanson fired an unassisted goal in the first period, his second, while Luke Martin of Almonte forced overtime with his 10th tally of the season with 6:31 remaining in regulation. Kotlarz had one assist to take his points total to a team best 47, while Melanson set up Martin's game tying tally.
Curley was again outstanding in the Kemptville goal, making 33 saves. He was the hero of Friday night's win at North Grenville Municipal Centre.
Scott Shackell made 29 saves at the other end for Canadians.
In the penalty department Referee Chad White called 11, six to the home team. Carleton Place winger Richard Stethem was assessed a double minor for roughing in the second period. Each team netted two powerplay goals.
Friday night in Kemptville, Canadians' lack of touch around the opposition goal cost them dearly in a disappointing 2-1 loss.
Carleton Place out shot the home team 38-32 as they continue to dominate most games they play. But the team has been offensively challenged all season and simply couldn't put enough pucks past Curley who made 37 saves and was the main factor in a key win for his team.
Somehow Curley only warranted a third star selection! But considering all three game stars were from the host team - in a 2-1 game dominated by the visitors - perhaps his position is more understandable.
Kotlarz scored on a powerplay just two minutes, 48 seconds into the game. His goal turned out to be the only tally of the night for Canadians.
Kemptville tied the contest just 24 seconds later. Defenceman Ryan Delorme notched his seventh of the campaign on a powerplay.
It stayed 1-1 until 5:19 of the middle stanza when Almonte's Wilson netted his team leading 25th goal of the season. It proved to be the game winner. Team leader Rowbotham hit the 50 point plateau with an assist on Wilson's tally.
The third period was scoreless as Kemptville played it very tight defensively, limiting Canadians to a game low seven shots in the stanza.
Shackell was solid between the pipes for Carleton Place, allowing just two goals on 32 shots.
Veteran Referee Erik Falardeau called 18 penalties, with each club picking up nine. The only major was a first period misconduct to Canadians' centre Ryan Lowe which was added to a goalie interference minor.
Following a tough weekend the first regular season of Junior A hockey in Carleton Place is quickly winding down.
Friday night Canadians entertain geographic rival Kanata Stallions from the Yzerman Division in a 7:30 contest at community centre. It's the final meeting between the sides this season and Carleton Place has won four of the five previous encounters. On Feb. 15, 'Family Day', (the holiday is observed in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta) Canadians host a rare Monday home game. Hawkesbury Hawks, the last place side in the league overall, will be the visitors for an afternoon game at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday night (Feb. 18) Carleton Place visits Cornwall for the start of a tough home and home series against Colts, the second place side in the Robinson Division and third place team overall. Game-time at Ed Lumley Arena in the Cornwall Civic Complex is 7:30. The next night (Feb. 19) Cornwall will be at community centre for another 7:30 start.
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